How popular is the Black Eyed Peas latest chart-topper? This beat-filled bit of pop electronica moved almost 2.4 million downloads in just nine weeks—a feat that took one of the Peas’ last vacuous earworms, “My Humps,” almost two years to achieve.
“Boom Boom Pow” seriously gets in your head. That’s probably part of the reason it’s turned into such a big hit. Hear it once, and you’re likely to catch yourself wandering around mumbling “Boom boom boom” under your breath.
If only the rest of the lyrics of this song were that mindlessly innocuous.
As they praise the power of a big beat—”’Cause we got the beat that bounce/We got the beat that pound”—the band also indulges a particular fondness for the s-word. Eight times, in fact, Including three uses of the foul threat, “S‑‑‑in’ on y’all with the boom boom.”
Thanks, Peas, but I’ll pass.
We also get one suggestive shout-out to sexual staying power: “I’m a beast when you turn me on/Into the future cybertron/Harder, faster, better, stronger/Sexy ladies extra longer.”
As the beat-and-boom-and-beat-and-pow single winds down, we hear the repeated admonition, “Let the beat rock.”
Boom boom boom … maybe not.
After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.
